The City of Newport Swimming & Water Polo Club follow the guidelines set by WASA

1.Introduction

This is the Policy for the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association (WASA) and all clubs MUST work within this policy.
Everyone who participates in the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. The WASA has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children the coaches (including teachers and assistants), support staff and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care. Even the children themselves have a duty of care to each other and to the staff.
The WASA is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone in sport accepts their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This means to follow procedures to protect children and report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities.
The aim of the policy is to promote good practice, providing everyone with appropriate safety/protection whilst in the care of the WASA and to allow staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues. A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (Children’s Act 1989)
1.2 Policy Statement
The WASA is committed to the following:

 

  • the welfare of the child is paramount
  • all children, whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity should be able to participate in aquatic sports in a fun and safe environment
  • taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to respect their rights, wishes and feelings
  • all suspicions and allegations of poor practice or abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
  • all employees/volunteers who work with children will be recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility, and will be provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures
  • working in partnership with parents and children is essential for the protection of children

Child Protection Policies should be reviewed every 3 years or whenever there is a major change in the organisation or in relevant legislation
www.welshasa.co.uk
Bullying is not easy to define, can take many forms and is usually repeated over a period of time. The three main types of bullying are: physical (e.g. hitting, kicking), verbal (e.g. racist remarks, threats, name calling), emotional (e.g. isolating an individual from activities). They will include:

 

  • Deliberate hostility and aggression towards the victim
  • A victim who is weaker than the bully or bullies
  • An outcome which is always painful and distressing for the victim

Bullying behaviour may also include:

 

  • Other forms of violence
  • Sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing or theft
  • Tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation
  • Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
  • Unwanted physical contact or abusive/offensive comments of a sexual nature

Emotional and verbal bullying are more likely to occur, however, and are more difficult to cope with or prove. It is of paramount importance that all clubs develop their own anti bullying policy to which all its members, coaches, players, staff and volunteers and parents subscribe to and accept.
Every club should be prepared to:

 

  • Take the problem seriously
  • Investigate any incidents
  • Talk to bullies and victims separately

and decide on appropriate action, such as:

 

  • Obtaining an apology from the bully(ies) to the victim
  • Inform parents of the names/identities of the bully(ies)
  • Insist on the return of items ‘borrowed’ or stolen
  • Insist bullies compensate the victim
  • Hold club discussions on bullying
  • Provide support for the coach of the victim

USEFUL CONTACTS
WASA
Wales National Pool
Sketty Lane
Swansea
SA2 8QG
Tel –01792 513636
www.welshasa.co.uk
Childline UK
Post 1111
London N1 OBR
Tel -0800 1111
Criminal Records Bureau
PO Box 91 Liverpool L69 2UH
Helpline 0870 90 90 811
www.crb.gov.uk

 

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
National Helpline 0808 800 5000
Welsh Helpline 0800 100 2524 (Mon-Fri 10am-6.00pm)
Asian Helpline 0800 096 7719
Deaf User’s Textphone 0800 056 0686
www.nspcc.org.uk
NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (Wales)
Unit 1
Cowbridge Court
Cowbridge Road West
Cardiff
CF5 5BS
029209838085
www.thecpsu.org.uk
Police and Social Services
Consult your telephone directory for the most relevant local numbers